weird sound

[xtremecro]

When my car is idle i have a weird sound right in front of the engine. it looks like its coming from right behind the fan. (on the engine sound) when the car is running it doesnt make the sound. im thinking maybe a idle belt? pulley?

[kayger12]

Pulley would certainly be a common source. See if you can get it on video and post it up.

[danewilson77]

Get us a video if you can...as weird is kind of generic. Does it seem to match rev's?

Theres alot of spinning stuff up there....but....pulleys (Any of 3), or water pump could be culprit.

[xtremecro]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gchFlnRTg6Y&feature=related


sounds exactly like this.

[kayger12]

Most likely the idler pulley then. Straight forward DIY.

[xtremecro]

any links to get one oem?

[Oli77]

Right here (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1693-Links-to-get-parts.)

[kayger12]

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Engine/Drive_Belts/ES21817/

[xtremecro]

how much would the whole job cost with mechanic you guys think?

[danewilson77]

I bet they would try getting around $600 at the dealer. Less at indy...

Much, much less DIY.

[xtremecro]

while im in there what else should i change? belt?

[Oli77]

Probably both belts, and depending on the age/mileage, the thermostat with water pump.

[aurelius]

When my car is idle i have a weird sound right in front of the engine. it looks like its coming from right behind the fan. (on the engine sound) when the car is running it doesnt make the sound. im thinking maybe a idle belt? pulley?

Mileage?

So to clarify, it makes the noise with motor at idle speed but not while the car is in motion?

I ask because according to the description above, literally interpreted, you're saying it makes this noise with the motor off but not at all with the motor running...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I think he's saying that when the car is idling (about 600 RPM), he can hear the noise. But when he's driving (presumably at higher RPMs), the noise goes away.

[danewilson77]

while im in there what else should i change? belt?

Do both belts and all three pulleys....

[aurelius]

Technically, there are 6 pulleys on the serpentine belt but if he has an automatic trans and thus a mechanical fan and he's hearing it behind the fan clutch, I would suspect the water pump bearing. If that's the case, his water pump will soon be saying goodnight to all.

[danewilson77]

Typically only three are failure items...and if he's positive it is the waterpump..he should be performing the coolant overhaul.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/e46beltdiagram.png

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[xtremecro]

42800 miles. and from that photo i think its idle pulley. the noise comes from that area right behind the fan. i will be trying to post a video

[xtremecro]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDeDxV4yE1g

[xtremecro]

Does that sound familiar?

[aurelius]

At least thru my computer speakers, it sounds like the audio in the video in post #4. Therefore, it is very likely the idler pulley making the noise. It can be a disaster when that pulley seizes up or disintegrates. The serpentine belt will break or at least fall off immediately and the water pump, along with everything else powered by that belt, will quit working.

Note: some report more pulley noise after installing new pulleys. If you have not owned the car long, it may be worth looking into whether belts & pulleys were already replaced. Likely not at your mileage but who knows?

At your mileage, the whole cooling system overhaul is very likely unnecessary but if you're due for a coolant flush, you might consider the whole shebang. If it were my car, I'd do the belts & the idler & tensioner pulleys plus probably also the coolant expansion tank. Then I'd do the rest of the cooling rehab at 60k, minus radiator which is generally recommended to replace at 90-100k.

Meantime, lots of good info here:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1830-BMW-E46-ZHP-Preventative-maintenance-Issues-DIY-s

[Marcus-SanDiego]

At least thru my computer speakers, it sounds like the audio in the video in post #4. Therefore, it is very likely the idler pulley making the noise. It can be a disaster when that pulley seizes up or disintegrates. The serpentine belt will break or at least fall off immediately and the water pump, along with everything else powered by that belt, will quit working.

Note: some report more pulley noise after installing new pulleys. If you have not owned the car long, it may be worth looking into whether belts & pulleys were already replaced. Likely not at your mileage but who knows?

At your mileage, the whole cooling system overhaul is very likely unnecessary but if you're due for a coolant flush, you might consider the whole shebang. If it were my car, I'd do the belts & the idler & tensioner pulleys plus probably also the coolant expansion tank. Then I'd do the rest of the cooling rehab at 60k, minus radiator which is generally recommended to replace at 90-100k.

Meantime, lots of good info here:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1830-BMW-E46-ZHP-Preventative-maintenance-Issues-DIY-s

Mark, perfect advice. I wouldn't have said anything differently. I did the complete cooling overhaul at 59,000 miles. Radiator will get swapped out at 90,000 miles.

[Stu]

Yep, it's a very easy DIY. I just replaced my belts and pulleys as my first DIY on a car ever, and if I can do it, you definitely can (and I suck with dealing with mechanical parts).

Simply take off the fan shroud, de-tension the belt, unscrew the idler pulley with a ratchet, put the new one on, put your belt back on, put the fan shroud back on, and you're done!

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=522832

This will give you literally everything you need to know to do it. Follow it religiously, be very patient and careful, and you'll be done in 15 mins no problem.

Get an INA idler pulley. It's the OEM part, minus the actual "BMW" name. You'll save some good money by buying directly from the manufacturer. You can get it at ECSTuning.com
Also, don't do what I did - make sure you put your dust caps back on as soon as you install the new pulley. Nothing is more obnoxious than putting everything back, feeling awesome that you just accomplished it, then turning around and seeing your dust caps lying on the ground :mad

[aurelius]

Simply take off the fan shroud, de-tension the belt, unscrew the idler pulley with a ratchet, put the new one on, put your belt back on, put the fan shroud back on, and you're done

Zell,
It sounds like you have an automatic transmission, since you refer to fan shroud removal. Assuming you also replaced your tensioner pulley, were you able to do that without removing the mechanical fan?

Let me know. I'll be doing belts soon on a family member's 325 with auto trans (and therefore that mechanical fan assembly). Was assuming until now that fan had to come off, which requires $75 worth of specific tools that I do not yet have.

Clarification to those using any of this as a reference: manual trans E46 models have an electric fan that comes out in about 30 seconds. Gives you more clearance to access the front of the motor, where the belts & pulleys are.

[Stu]

Clarification to those using any of this as a reference: manual trans E46 models have an electric fan that comes out in about 30 seconds. Gives you more clearance to access the front of the motor, where the belts & pulleys are.

Yeah, that's what I meant. I've got a manual. It's very easy to come out. One screw, one expanding rivet, and two electrical connectors. Automatic is a little more difficult, because there's a fan clutch involved.

[danewilson77]

Yeah, that's what I meant. I've got a manual. It's very easy to come out. One screw, one expanding rivet, and two electrical connectors. Automatic is a little more difficult, because there's a fan clutch involved.

32mm open ended wrench...put it on nut.....and give it a whack toward the drivers side...

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[danewilson77]

http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/e46_mechanical_fan_procedure.htm

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/image007.jpg

[xtremecro]

well.... belt replaced and the pulleys but guess waht! noise is still there... FML! so my mech looked at it from a million different angles and figured its the water pump making noise. Now do i replace that pulley or the water pump itself?

[Stu]

Hmm...good question. Honestly, I'd do both, especially considering water pumps have had a history of failing on these cars. If it doesn't fix it, at least you're set to not have any water pump failure while driving any time soon :p Also, I've seen a thread about a water pump pulley cracking on an E46. It didn't look like a fun time to deal with.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1473825

This should give you some info on how to replace the water pump pulley.

[danewilson77]

Get us a video if you can...as weird is kind of generic. Does it seem to match rev's?

Theres alot of spinning stuff up there....but....pulleys (Any of 3), or water pump could be culprit.

Replace the entire water pump....

And in all honesty....shuold do coolant system overhaul...

[xtremecro]

The thermostat seems ok. At the other parts I think I'll do waterpump and the pulley.

[danewilson77]

The thermostat seems ok. At the other parts I think I'll do waterpump and the pulley.

Be advised the the rad hoses rot from the inside out...

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[xtremecro]

Thanks Dane I rAther do it now like u say while the labor is free!

[xtremecro]

What u think about Stewart waterpump

[aurelius]

Thanks Dane I rAther do it now like u say while the labor is free!

If you have free labor, do the whole cooling system now, with the exception of the radiator and the stuff that's already been done. There are, however, more parts than you may think. See this list:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17676561/BMW%20docs/BMW%20E46%20Cooling%20System%20Rehab.rtf

Use BMW coolant mixed 50/50 with distilled water. Coolant capacity is 8.4 liters, whether you have an auto or a manual (the auto trans is cooled by the engine cooling system).

If you do not know if or when the coolant was last flushed, I would also use a radiator flush product. Lubro Moly makes one but you can get Prestone, etc., at a local auto parts store.

[danewilson77]

That's what I been trying to say!!!!!! Yes....dhu eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Funny/eurotrip-scream-wtf.gif

[az3579]

Word of advice:

If the radiator is in good shape, I would skip it. BUT, that doesn't mean there isn't any corrosion on the inside. Just something to keep in mind.

That is the reason I bought a radiator for my cooling refresh; didn't want to take the chance. I'll swap it again in another 60-90k.

[aurelius]

32mm open ended wrench...put it on nut.....and give it a whack toward the drivers side...

For those of you with automatics (or those like me who have a manual yet are still cursed with caring for an automatic), check out this wrench. One end does the fan clutch nut and the other does the oil filter housing. Twenty bucks:

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES240950/

[danewilson77]

For those of you with automatics (or those like me who have a manual yet are still cursed with caring for an automatic), check out this wrench. One end does the fan clutch nut and the other does the oil filter housing. Twenty bucks:

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES240950/

Like.........but........I like the socket better for the oil filter cap.